What’s happening in 3D Printing? December 2017

In this quick round up here are a few articles to sum up the world of 3D Printing at the moment, we’ve scanned the pages of 3ders.org, a useful website that provides interesting news about 3D printing technology and products.

American research firm Gartner has forecast further adoption of 3D printing technologies amongst manufacturers of medical devices, aircraft, consumer goods, and elsewhere. As part of its Predicts 2018 report, the firm says 25 per cent of surgeons will practice on 3D printed models prior to surgery by 2021. It also claims 75% of aircraft will use 3D printed parts by 2021.

Narrowing of the respiratory tract can occur after injury, such as a blow to the throat area, or because of disease, when malformations, infections, and tumours can cause the airway to close up. Researchers from the University Hospital Zurich, ETH Zurich, and the University of Zurich have joined forces to 3D print patient-specific, drug-coated stents.

A skilled team of scientists from the Birch Aquarium at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego have 3D printed a customised brace for an injured sea turtle. The team claims it is the first 3D printed device of its kind and could be adapted to help other sea turtles with similar injuries.

David Spurling

Quanta Fluid Solutions

Thanks to Justin, Gary, Martin, Hannah and all the team who have helped deliver our recent (large!) SLS order. We put it together for a part fit check prior to sending it out for painting. Both Hugh and I have been astounded at how little we have had to fettle to get it all to fall into place, these parts stand as a testament to the quality of your work at Prototype Projects.